Traditionally, Christmas and New Year are a legitimate excuse to splurge and spend. After all, it is the time for giving and gifting. This holiday season, however, it will be prudent to inject a little consciousness into your shopping. By taking note of a few sustainable shopping tips, you can widen the smile on your loved ones’ faces and leave a positive mark on our planet. Sustainable shopping will also see you protect and save the environment from all harmful elements.
Banishing plastic shopping bags and imploring your friends and family to do the same may seem like a small insignificant step in sustainable shopping but it goes a long way in safeguarding our planet. Reducing your own environmental footprint is the least that you can do this holiday. Such little, individual steps set an example for our children, and even the adults around you. Eventually, these tiny steps accumulate into a veritable environmental movement.
The festivities are fast approaching, which only means that it is that time of the year when purse-strings are loosened and savings accessed. Shopping, no doubt, is one of the highlights of the holiday season. Few pleasures in life surpass the act of gifting your loved ones. So it goes without saying that shopping is one of the most fulfilling and satisfying experiences you are likely to do this holiday season. It, therefore, pays to make it count. Thankfully, we have assembled a few tips and pointers to guide you through your shopping this season.
Create a Sustainable Shopping Culture
Shopping sustainably seems to be the in-thing for many shoppers out there. Nowadays, environmentally conscious living methods have gained traction over other modes of living. No longer is the task of saving the environment left to conglomerates, brands, and corporate. Increasingly, individuals are taking charge of their actions and decisions.
They seem to be more aware of their surroundings and circumstances. As a shopper this festive season, there is no reason why you should not do your part in healing the environment. It is quite easy. Following these simple, but tried and tested methods will certainly enforce your status as a conscious shopper.
Be Willing to Change Your Shopping Habits
Granted, it will take a considerable period before the majority of the population change their lifestyle. It will take time before people's mindsets shift considerably. That said, there is no reason why you shouldn't engineer this shift in opinion yourself.
By being willing to interrogate your shopping norms and customs, you can doubtlessly engineer ways to make your shopping experience more environmentally friendly. Before you pop those goodies into your cart, be sure to question to pose this question to yourself, "Do I really need this particular item right now?"
Aside from decluttering your space, this move will ensure that the items you purchase add some real value to your life. In the event that the item is not likely to add any value, then you best ignore its purchase. Where possible, be willing to buy used or second hand as it will save you lots in expenses and you can rest easy knowing that you have played your part in safeguarding the environment.
Avoid Plastic Bags like the Plague
Synthetic fibers and materials like plastics have a well-documented history of environmental harm. The decision to carry your own tote bag or in the alternative, to purchase an environmentally conscious, biodegradable shopping bag, means you make a major step towards establishing an environmentally sound shopping tradition.
Eradicating plastic bags from your shopping experience is definitely a step every shopper should take. Whenever you are shopping for clothes, it is advisable to prioritize natural, biodegradable fibers over synthetic materials. Cotton and wool are examples of materials whose effect on the environment is decidedly less harmful to nature than synthetics like nylon and polyester.
Buy Used Goods
Often times the most sustainable way you can shop is by shopping for vintage or used products. Items such as vintage clothes have become pretty popular today, which is great news for sustainable shoppers as the clothing industry is one of the worst offenders for pollution and waste-dumping. In addition to clothing, you can also find a consignment shop who buys toys or other kinds of products as well. Used products are likely still in perfectly good condition and purchasing used items is just like recycling.
When all is said and done, as in any struggle, the journey towards a sustainable shopping experience requires partners and collaborators. To this end, as a shopper and consumer, you should be ready and willing to hold brands and corporations to account. It pays to ensure that your favorite retailer or brand subscribes to the same principles and values you swear by. It is recommended that you buy eco-friendly products from environmentally conscious brands.
You may also like
Can Eco-Friendly Beauty Give You The Results You Crave?
How to Make Sure Your Products Are Responsibly Sourced
Great Sustainable Materials For Your New Home Design
A Guide to Blue Beauty: How to Make Your Beauty Routine Ocean-Friendly